Ambidextrous capillary-filled test strip

Abstract

A test strip for detecting an analyte (e.g., blood glucose) in a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood) includes an analytical portion (e.g., a reagent pad), a first edge with a first edge indentation and a second edge with a second edge indentation. The test strip also includes a first capillary channel adapted for providing fluid communication between the first edge indentation and the analytical portion, as well as a second capillary channel adapted for providing fluid communication between the second edge indentation and the analytical portion. Furthermore, the first and second edges are in an opposing relationship (e.g., on left-hand and right-hand sides of the test strip). Also, a test strip and meter combination for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample. The combination includes a test strip with an analytical portion and first and second edges. The first and second edges of the test strip each include an edge indentation with a sample application region. The test strip also includes a first capillary channel adapted for providing fluid communication between the sample application region of the first edge indentation and the analytical portion, as well as a second capillary channel adapted for providing fluid communication between the sample application region of the second edge indentation and the analytical portion. The meter includes a test strip holder configured to receive the test strip in the absence of contact between the sample application regions of the first and second edge indentations and the test strip holder.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A test strip for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample, the test strip comprising: 
 an analytical portion;    a first edge with a first edge indentation;    a second edge with a second edge indentation;    a first capillary channel adapted for providing fluid communication between the first edge indentation and the analytical portion; and    a second capillary channel adapted for providing fluid communication between the second edge indentation and the analytical portion,    wherein the first edge and second edge are in an opposing relationship.    
     
     
         2 . The test strip of  claim 1  further including: 
 a base portion; and  
 an upper portion;  
 wherein the analytical portion, first capillary channel and second capillary channel are disposed between the base portion and the upper portion.  
 
     
     
         3 . The test strip of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion includes an opening for applying a liquid sample to the test strip.  
     
     
         4 . The test strip of  claim 2  further including a spacer layer and wherein the spacer layer, base portion and upper portion serve to define the first and second capillary channels.  
     
     
         5 . The test strip of  claim 1 , wherein the first edge indentation and the second edge indentation are curved edge indentations configured to accommodate a target site.  
     
     
         6 . The test strip of  claim 5 , wherein the first edge indentation and the second edge indentation are each configured to accommodate a fingertip target site.  
     
     
         7 . The test strip of  claim 5 , wherein the first edge indentation and second edge indentation are each configured to accommodate a forearm target site.  
     
     
         8 . The test strip of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second edge indentations are rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         9 . The test strip of  claim 1 , wherein the analytical portion includes a reagent pad.  
     
     
         10 . The test strip of  claim 9 , wherein said base portion contains an opening underneath said reagent pad.  
     
     
         11 . The test strip of  claim 1 , wherein the analytical portion includes an electrochemical cell.  
     
     
         12 . The test strip of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second capillary channels are adapted to accommodate a liquid sample with a volume in the range of 0.1 micro-liters to 15 micro-liters.  
     
     
         13 . The test strip of  claim 1 , wherein the test strip is an elongated test strip and the first edge and second edge are opposing longitudinal edges.  
     
     
         14 . The test strip of  claim 1  further including a sharp-edged border disposed on a bottom surface of the test strip, the sharp-edged border adapted to prevent the migration of the liquid sample to the bottom surface of the test strip.  
     
     
         15 . The test strip of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid sample is a whole blood sample.  
     
     
         16 . The test strip of  claim 15 , wherein the analyte is blood glucose.  
     
     
         17 . A test strip and meter combination for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample, the test strip and meter combination comprising: 
 a test strip that includes: 
 an analytical portion;  
 a first edge with a first edge indentation, the first edge indentation including a sample application region;  
 a second edge with a second edge indentation, the second edge indentation including a sample application region;  
 a first capillary channel adapted for providing fluid communication between the sample application region of the first edge indentation and the analytical portion;  
 a second capillary channel adapted for providing-fluid communication between the sample application region of the second edge indentation and the analytical portion;  
   wherein the first and second edges are in an opposing relationship; and    a meter that includes a test strip holder, the test strip holder configured to receive the test strip in the absence of contact between the sample application region of the first edge indentation and the test strip holder and between the sample application region of the second edge indentation and the test strip holder.    
     
     
         18 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the test strip further includes a sharp-edged border disposed on a bottom surface of the test strip.  
     
     
         19 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the test strip further includes: 
 a base portion; and    an upper portion;    wherein the analytical portion, first capillary channel and second capillary channel are disposed between the base portion and the upper portion.    
     
     
         20 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 19 , wherein the test strip further includes a spacer layer and wherein the spacer layer, the base portion and the upper portion serve to define the first and second capillary channels.  
     
     
         21 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the first edge indentation and the second edge indentation are curved edge indentations configured to accommodate a target site.  
     
     
         22 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 21 , wherein the first edge indentation and the second edge indentation are each configured to accommodate a fingertip target site.  
     
     
         23 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 21 , wherein the first edge indentation and second edge indentation are each configured to accommodate a forearm target site.  
     
     
         24 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the analytical portion includes a reagent pad.  
     
     
         25 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein said base portion contains an opening underneath said reagent pad.  
     
     
         26 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the analytical portion includes an electrochemical cell.  
     
     
         27 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second capillary channels are adapted to accommodate a liquid sample with a volume in the range of 0.1 micro-liters to 15 micro-liters.  
     
     
         28 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the test strip is an elongated test strip and the first edge and second edge are opposing longitudinal edges.  
     
     
         29 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the liquid sample is a whole blood sample.  
     
     
         30 . The test strip and meter combination of  claim 17 , wherein the analyte is blood glucose.